June is Cataract Awareness Month

What Are Cataracts?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally, responsible for over half of all cases of blindness-causing conditions. In the United States, nearly 25 million people over the age of 40 are affected by cataracts. And this number is expected to rise. This condition can greatly affect daily life, often necessitating changes to routines due to impaired vision. Things that used to be simple can seem impossible when you can’t see. Despite these challenges, there is hope. Cataracts are not only common but also highly treatable. But first, it's important to understand what cataracts are and how they develop.

To understand how cataracts form, it's helpful to know a bit about eye anatomy. Inside your eye is a transparent, flexible lens that focuses light on the retina, creating images for your brain. It functions similarly to how a camera lens works to capture photos, only this lens is made of collagen and proteins, with proteins being the primary component.

As we age, these proteins break down and clump together, causing the lens to become cloudy. Over time, this cloudiness increases, eventually obstructing vision, similar to getting a smudge on your camera lens. This process can make the pupils appear cloudy or milky. Once the vision is compromised, surgery is the only solution to restore clear vision.

The Different Types of Cataracts

While the end result of most cataracts is the same with significant reductions in vision, there are actually a few different types of cataracts. These are classified by either where in the eye the cataract forms or when it forms.

Nuclear Cataracts

These cataracts develop in the center of the lens, initially improving nearsighted vision but eventually impairing both near and distant vision. Over time, they may turn yellowish or brown, further reducing vision.

Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts form on the lens's edges, appearing as white streaks or wedges. They gradually spread towards the center, obstructing vision.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

These cataracts form at the back of the lens, quickly impairing vision. These are common in patients with diabetes or people who have been prescribed steroids for inflammation, but most patients won’t develop cataracts this way.

Congenital Cataracts

This is a rarer form of cataract. Congenital cataracts are present at birth or develop in early childhood, often due to genetic factors, infections, or eye injuries. Early detection and removal are crucial to prevent visual development issues.

Secondary Cataracts

Technically, secondary cataracts aren’t really cataracts. They occur as complications from cataract surgery, where scar tissue causes the lens capsule (the flexible clear tissue in your eye that holds the lens in place) to become cloudy. This condition is typically treated with a quick, outpatient laser procedure called a YAG.

For more details on cataract types, their formation, and symptoms, visit our comprehensive cataract guide.

Causes of Cataracts

Beyond natural aging, several health conditions can accelerate cataract formation or lead to more severe cases. These include diabetes, prolonged steroid use, obesity, significant alcohol consumption, excessive sunlight exposure, smoking, previous eye surgeries or injuries, and genetic factors.

While complete prevention of cataracts is impossible, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly reduce your risk. In addition, it is recommended to get regular annual comprehensive eye exams as doctors could detect the early onset of cataracts and recommend a treatment plan to lessen their impact or stall their growth.

When You Need to Get Surgery for Cataracts

When to seek surgical treatment for your cataracts varies from person to person. Cataracts react differently in different people. Your grandparents may have needed to get them taken out because they were growing too fast, but you might find yours grow slowly and don’t cover the center of your eye yet. It’s a good idea to consult your eye doctor for more information on cataract treatments and which treatment they believe is right for you.

However, there are certain symptoms to watch for that indicate it’s time to consult an eye doctor for possible surgery:

• Seeing colors as yellowish or faded

• Poor color vision in general

• Difficulty with night driving

• Shadowing of your vision

• Glare or halos around lights

• Difficulty seeing in low light

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Nationwide Vision to schedule a consultation.

How Does Cataract Surgery Work?

Once cataracts fully develop, surgery is the only treatment option. During the procedure, the doctor makes a small incision on the part of your eye where the clear cornea meets the white. A probe is used to break up the clouded natural lens and is vacuumed out. An artificial lens is inserted through the same small incision and will perform the identical job as your natural lens. Your cornea is sealed up, and the healing process begins. There are no shots or sutures, only a few eyedrops!

All told, the procedure typically takes about 10 minutes. For patients with cataracts in both eyes, surgeries are performed a few weeks apart to ensure proper healing. Recovery varies, but most patients resume normal activities within a day or two. For more information on our surgical procedures, visit our Cataract Treatment page.